Kudzu Bug Continues To Expand Its Range
DR. SCOTT STEWART
JACKSON, TENN.
Kudzu bugs were found in low numbers on kudzu in both Fayette and Haywood Counties this week. The presence of kudzu bugs was also confirmed in Moore County earlier this week. These new finds do not represent a threat to this year’s soybean crop, but they do attest to how fast this insect is spreading. By next year, we should expect potentially damaging infestations on soybean in at least some parts of eastern, central and western Tennessee. You can keep up with the current distribution of kudzu bugs at http://kudzubug.org/.
Kudzu bugs also have the habit of invading homes during the fall as they seek out overwintering sites. People who own light colored houses next to a patch of kudzu will not be a fan of this insect. They will also move from late maturing soybean fields into homes. Thus, reports of more kudzu bugs will trickle in during October.∆
DR. SCOTT STEWART: IPM Extension Specialist, University of Tennessee